Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Big Picture Classes: Big Ideas Festival

Last year I took part in my first ever Big Picture class.
The Big ideas festival.
It was just what I needed!
Some of my favourite layouts were made during this class.
The fabulous people at BPC are offering this free class again starting September 5th.
Be sure to sign up!
 
 Here are some of my faves from last year...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Enjoy!

Saturday, July 20, 2013

CCC 002 July 2013: Mid-Month Tag Inspiration

Hi Everyone!
 
First off I would like to congratulate Cathy Caines,
from Catherine and Cathy Create, and In The Cat Cave,
on becoming an Artisan Design Team member!
WAHOOOO!!!!!
 
Have you entered the CCC Tag Challenge for this month yet?
What are you waiting for?
Head on over HERE to play along.
 
For my Mid Month |Inspiration I just couldn't stop. I love party tags!
 
I have to say my fave is the first one up. I used multiple layers of Stampin' Up silver embossing powder on some Stampin' Up chipboard shapes. Got a big wood mounted background stamp all inked up with Versa Mark and put it splat down on warm embossing powder.
Takes a few practice sessions to get it sometimes.
However if you get it on the first shot,
I may just have to stick my tounge out at you and say "pshaw, beginner's luck". LOL
JUST DON'T BURN YOURSELF!
 
 
 
Oh how I LOVE this stamp set! I had to do layers, use my Aqua Painter to watercolour it, and then accent with some Crystal Effects. I wanted a really sturdy base for my dimension, so I stamped a scrap of chip and cut it out.
 
 
This one is  using the hexagon embossing folder, ooooh so pretty you are folder!
 
 
Be sure to follow along here and at www.catherineandcathycreate.com 
using the Bloglovin' icons on the sidebar.

Enjoy!

Sunday, July 14, 2013

CCC DT Favourite Things

What are some of  my favourite things? 
 
To find out the answer!
 
Guess who is featured today!!
 yup it's me!
 

For my project I grabbed some Watercolour paper, my Cherry Cobbler and Bravo Burgundy ink pads, and set to work on my craft mat. I kept adding layers to create an anniversary card for my hubby. 
 

Speaking of my messy hands, I also experimented with my inks on my nails. I used Staz-On and Stampin' Up stamps to stamp onto dry nail polish, set with a top coat.

 I normally wear dark polish, so I need to get myself a white Staz-on pad. 

I'm so thankful to be part of this great creative team, be sure to follow along at http://www.catherineandcathycreate.com.
  
Enjoy!

Monday, July 8, 2013

CCC #002


 
 
Let me first say I am super excited about being part of the Catherine and Cathy Create Design Team. Way to go ladies, so proud of you both and the journey you've begun. 

My family have a lot of get togethers (and theme parties), so this month "let's PARTY!" Theme is right up my alley! Who needs to have a reason to party? Just have one ;)

My first tag is using the make a monster stamp set. The kids and I agree this is a super fun one. 
 
 

I stamped the images on watercolour paper with Staz-On in jet black. Then used an Aqua Painter brush to colour in. 

Fussy cutting can be tedious, but absolutely worth it. 

My glue of choice for the tag was Crystal Effects, which was great for adhering and making those monster eyes shine. 
 
 
Want to see the other inspiration and enter your own creation?
Head to http://www.catherineandcathycreate.com/2013/07/ccc-002-july-2013-tags-challenge-lets.html?m=1http://www.catherineandcathycreate.com/p/ccc-tags-challenge.html

Enjoy!

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Brickheads - Dom's Challenge #1

Rhea here, I have a lil' guest blogger today, keeping with The Brickheads challenge started by Natasha Connolly's son.
 ( to see that post follow this link http://goldhalo.blogspot.ca/2013/07/wanted-brickheads.html)

"Hello Lego Fans!
 
For my challenge, using bricks and figures, create any type of scene (big or small) including at least 2 monsters. I have good and evil monsters in mine. 


Missy B's bonus challenge is to also include a pirate.

Thanks for reading, if you want to play along send a photo of your entry to howinviting@hotmail.com, or post link in comments.
 
Dom"
 
 
Enjoy!

Friday, July 5, 2013

Quick organizing.

Getting ready for company, and design team challenges I decided to organize my stamps. 

In less than 10 minutes.

 I grabbed all the Stampin' Up I could find, a black ink pad, and my current sketchbook. 
 Quickly stamped on plain paper and organized into clear cases. I wasn't really picky about sloppiness or ghosting from edges, that way I know what to watch for on my final projects. 


Now when Warren is driving on our day trips I can scan and design in my sketchbook knowing what I have on my shelf. 
Can't wait to get my new SU to add to it!

Enjoy!

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Guess What!!!!!!

Big News!
 
I applied for my first ever Design Team spot,
 designing for the store doesn't count.
 
 I GOT  IT!
 
I am a DT member for Catherine and Cathy Create!

 
Be sure to follow my blog and theirs, create away with us!
 
Enjoy!

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

CCC challenge #1

The crafty ladies at Catherine and Cathy Create have issued a colour challenge for the month of July, and I am determined to give my all. 

As some of you know I have been on a sewing kick lately.
 Neglecting my paper.
 
*Gasp*
 
I needed a good challenge. 
 
 

 
I like the way this specific challenge is set up.
 
Direct from their site...

Color Combo: Raspberry Ripple, Basic Black & Coastal Cabana

"Projects can be anything - cards, scrapbook pages, 3D projects, etc. They can be linked to any other challenges but we ask that they be new projects (no back linking!). You can use any brand of product you choose (it does NOT have to be Stampin' Up) - We want you to be inspired and have fun!"
 
I like less limitations. Especially now with being in a rut of sorts. 

On to my entry...
 
With company coming soon I have been cleaning my office/house
so I no longer look like I belong on "Hoarders". 
 
I found 6 of these lovely ladies in a drawer. 

Headless, but lovely none the less. 

Until now I have been afraid to do more than gesso one of them. 
Saving them for the perfect 'thing'. 
This CCC challenge is going to be just that. 
 
I started by searching for my Tim Holtz tissue paper.
I swear I had it yesterday.
 
 I did find some plain white tissue paper from packaging, my text background stamp, and black ink pad.
I wanted it to look a bit vintage and ghostlike. I randomly inked stamp, (missing sections on purpose) and rotating image the image with varying pressure. 
 
Then I tore the tissue paper to manageable sizes and covered the dress form in thin coats of Modpodge and tissue paper.
Too much glue and the tissue will tear easily. 
 
 I covered her in a mix of inks and sprays to get coverage I wanted.
 
To seal the colour, I sprayed a clear aerosol paint over top.
While that's drying I dabbed paint on my garden background stamp and stamped the black modelling film. 
 

Cut it in triangles, and proceed to burn my fingertips as I wrapped it around a kitchen skewer to shape. 

 
 
 
Next step was to find something to create her clothes. I cut flowers with my big shot and embossed them with embossing folders.
 
 Once she was dry, I wrapped glue around her skirt and started adding the cut petals in tiers. 
 
 I also found a scrap of lace trimmed netting that was perfect for the bodice.
 
 Tied with black satin ribbon and rhinestone trim from God knows where.
 
She was just about ready. 
Mixing and matching feathers, trims, broken broach, SU 'art' stamp on mini heart covered in flat back glass marble thing. 
She's complete!
 

 

 
And very hard to photograph ;)
 
I also made a quick card while my stuff was out (who am I kidding. It's always out). 

 
Enjoy!

I've got "Brickheads" too!

My pal Natasha Connolly has a guest blogger issuing a Lego challenge.
 
Her "Bub" is calling all Lego Brickheads to create a Canada themed project out of Legos. 
My house is full of Legos. Not just D. Missy B has plenty of her own. 
 
Domonik created a scene called "a walk in the park on Canada Day" and has a couple of doggies showing their patriotism with a flag on their backs. 
 
Bella kept with the Canada Day idea and made a parade. 
 
 
To enter the challenge yourself, head on over to
 

Enjoy!